Anatomy and baseline histology of the hoof capsule, corium, and digital cushion in free-ranging southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)
Fig 2
Sagittal sections of giraffe right front foot medial digits showing normal and abnormal sole alignment.
Sagittal (parasagittal) sections are shown from four male giraffe (A-D) and two female giraffe (E, F). In most feet (A-E), the solar surface of the hoof capsule is approximately parallel to the distal margin of distal phalanx (Pd). In contrast, foot F shows localized caudal sole overgrowth (Δ). The dotted line indicates the expected plane of the solar surface in parallel with Pd; all capsule growth distal to this line represents overgrowth, with a distinct bulge visible distally in the sole. This panel is oriented obliquely to emphasize both the normal concavity of the sole and the abnormal caudal overgrowth. Feet A and B had been thawed before dissection, then re-frozen, and showed generalized hemorrhage on sectioning.